Tray combined with a breadbox



Sept. 24, 1968 c. H. L. ANDERSSON 3,402,878

TRAY COMBINED WITH A BREADBOX Filed May 28, 1965 FIG. I

INVENTOR Carl Harry Lennart ANDERSSON United States Patent 3,402,878 TRAY COMBINED WITH A BREADBOX Carl Harry Lennart Andersson, 65 Norra Langgatan, Kalmar, Sweden Filed May 28, 1965, Ser. No. 459,585 3 Claims. (Cl. 220-4) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed a serving tray device for food in which two or more trays are stacked one over the other and separated by a box like frame of which the tray forms the top and bottom. The frame may be fixed to either tray and at least one tray is detachable. The trays may be fitted with lateral hand grips.

The present invention relates to a tray, which is preferably fitted with two planes. Between these planes a box is placed, where the planes are larger than this. Important advantages arise based on the trays fitting with two planes. So it is possible to put the table-service on to the upper plane without any hindrance, while the bread is placed into the box between the planes. The box can be connected with the upper or lower plane. In the first case the opening is directed downwards, but in both cases the box being a container for bread. Using this tray it is possible to set up the table-service and to serve up the meal long time before taking the meal. At the same time the served bread is well protected in the box.

The box can be produced out of a transparent plastic material. This here described tray can also be useful for keeping uncut loaves, for the boxs breadth and length are so large, that the loaves can be placed side by side into the box. At the same time the planes can be useful as cutting boards. For serving it is possible to place the lower plane on to the upper one, so that the bread comes into a higher position as if by placing between the tableservice. The bread being kept in the box is well protected against to be dried up or other soilings and insects. For getting an ideal shape of the tray both planes should be larger than the box and shaped in a serviceable way. The outside and before the box lying projections of the planes should be so large at least in the diagonal direction, that it is possible to have a fast grip at the tray.

On accompanying drawings as an example shown shape will be described in following, in order to illustrate the invention.

FIG. 1 shows the tray in perspective with the planes on its place.

FIG. 2 shows said tray without the upper plane.

FIG. 3 shows said tray with the lower plane placed on the upper one.

According to the shape of the drawings the tray is fitted with two planes 1 and 2, of which the upper plane is fixed at one between the planes lying box 3, which box is open downwards and manufactured of transparent plastic material. These planes 1 or 2 constitute at the same time the bottom or the cover of the box. The front sides of the tray reach outside of the boxs front sides and are so dimensioned, that a good grip can be obtained for moving the tray. The box can get the form of a rhomboid in order to dispose of space of the box. For obtaining the upper or the lower plane in engagement with the box four plugs 4 are arranged in a way, that they grip into the corners of the box. These plugs 4 are formed in a way, that they barely reach out over the planes, and therefore they dont be any hindrance for setting down the tableservice.

The invention is of course not limited to the here down and described shape, because other modifications can occur in the scope of the invention. So the tray can be built with many planes without leaving the invention.

Furthermore it is possible to connect the box or the frame between the planes fast or detachable with one of the planes. In the same way projections, handles, hollows or the like can be arranged at the planes or the box, respective of the frame, at any place.

I claim:

1. A food serving tray system comprising at least two stacked rectangular flat trays held vertically apart by a frame member having at least one transparent wall and which forms a closed box having a first tray for a top and a second tray for a bottom, said trays being locked against lateral movement, both said trays projecting laterally from said member to form gripping means on at least two opposite sides, the upper one of said trays being fixed to said member, and the lower tray being detachable therefrom.

2. A system as in claim 1 in which at least three superposed trays are stacked and separated around at least two frame members.

3. A system as in claim 1 in which at least one tray is provided with means engaging said frame member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,080,283 5/ 1937 Lowenfels 22023.-86 2,131,663 9/1938 Hughes 220-94 2,878,848 3/1959 Coltman .5 3,096,903 7/1963 Grant 22042 3,292,810 12/1966 Schechter 220-23.83 X 1,598,410 8/1926 Alaj 22097 1,635,918 7/1927 Alaj 220-97 FOREIGN PATENTS 701,370 1/1965 Canada.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

G. E. LOWRANCE, Assistant Examiner. 

